ENDEIT
Bob James
Photo: Meutia Chaerani / Indradi Soemardjan http://www.indrani.net, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Pianists · b. 1939

Bob James

American jazz keyboardist, arranger, and record producer (born 1939)

Born
25 December 1939
Marshall
Country
United States
Record labels
Columbia Records, Warner Bros. Records, ESP-Disk, CTI Records, MNRK Music Group
Discography
42 albums

Biography

Bob James is a jazz musician who plays piano, musical keyboard and organ. Bob James was born on 25 December 1939 in Marshall. The music is usually filed under jazz and cool jazz. Record labels: Columbia Records, Warner Bros. Records, ESP-Disk and CTI Records. The discography here lists 42 albums, from “One” (1974) to “Just Us” (2025). Honours include Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance (1981) and Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance (1987).

Robert McElhiney James (born December 25, 1939) is an American jazz keyboardist, arranger, and record producer. He founded the band Fourplay and wrote "Angela", the theme song for the TV show Taxi. According to VICE, music from his first seven albums has often been sampled and has been widely used in hip hop. Among his most well known recordings are "Nautilus", "Westchester Lady", "Tappan Zee", and his version of "Take Me to the Mardi Gras".

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Discography

Studio and live albums

One 1974
Two 1975
Three 1976
BJ4 1977
Heads 1977
Touchdown 1978
Lucky Seven 1979
One on One 1979
H 1980
All Around the Town 1981 · Live
Sign of the Times 1981
Hands Down 1982
Foxie 1983
The Genie: Themes & Variations From the TV Series “Taxi” 1983
12 1984
Rameau 1984
The Swan 1984
Double Vision 1985
Obsession 1986
Ivory Coast 1988
Grand Piano Canyon 1990
The Scarlatti Dialogues 1990
Cool 1992
Hapgood 1994
Restless 1994
Flesh and Blood 1995
Joined at the Hip 1996
Playin Hooky 1997
Joy Ride 1999
Dancing on the Water 2001
Morning, Noon & Night 2002
Live at Montreux 2005 · Live
Angels of Shanghai 2006
Urban Flamingo 2006
Christmas Eyes 2008
Altair & Vega 2011
Alone: Kaleidoscope by Solo Piano 2013
Quartette Humaine 2013
LIVE at the Milliken Auditorium 2015 · Live
The New Cool 2015
Jazz Hands 2023
Just Us 2025

Also plays on

Albums where Bob James is credited as a sideman

1971 Smackwater Jack — Quincy Jones electric piano
1984 L.A. Is My Lady — Frank Sinatra with Quincy Jones and His Orchestra electric piano

Awards

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument does Bob James play?

Bob James is known for playing piano, musical keyboard and organ.

When and where was Bob James born?

Bob James was born 25 December 1939 in Marshall.

What are Bob James's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include One (1974), Two (1975), Three (1976), BJ4 (1977) and Heads (1977).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.